Former Johnson City Jail supervisor charged with theft

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation today arrested the former Johnson City Jail superintendent for theft after he was indicted by the Washington County grand jury earlier this week.

On Friday Samuel Garland, 58, of Johnson City, Tenn. was indicted on one count of theft over $60,000.

The 1st Judicial District Attorney General requested the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation take a closer look at jail operations in May of 2013 after the Johnson City Police Department discovered misconduct during an internal investigation.

Between 2004 and 2012, while serving as the jail’s superintendent, the TBI said Garland was being paid by the Johnson City Boys and Girls Club to supervise the custodial work of female Johnson City jail inmates at the club’s facilities located on West Market Street.

Garland was also being paid by the police department for the same work. During an eight year period, Sam Garland was paid more than $60,000 by the Boys and Girls Club. Garland was placed on administrative leave, but retired in November 2012.

Garland was booked into the Washington County Jail on $25,000 bond. Jail records show he bonded out. News 5 has not been able to reach him for comment on the charge.

District Attorney Tony Clark said police arrested Sam Garland's son David Garland.

Clark told News 5, "He (David Garland) was actually an officer working for the ETSU Police and he was also working at the park and rec with the city, and allegedly he was clocking in at park and rec but actually he was working quite a few of those hours at ETSU".

David Garland is charged with theft over over $10,000 and two counts of official misconduct. Clark said David Garland provided alcohol to inmates and had an inappropriate relationship with a female inmate.